The City reported back on public opinions made about its plan to revamp the 500 block of Terminal Ave. (City of Nanaimo)

By Ian Holmes

downtown plans

Alternate uses for Jean Burns site discussed as councillors updated on Terminal Ave. project

Oct 25, 2021 | 4:59 PM

NANAIMO — It appears a public plaza has fallen out of favour to replace the former Jean Burns building property at the centre of an extensive overhaul in the area.

The City’s director of engineering and public works Bill Sims suggested a different use for the site may be more appropriate at a governance and priorities committee meeting on Monday, Oct. 25.

“What we’re hearing clearly from the community, clearly from our urban designer is asking the question ‘How much public space do we need in the downtown core?’ and so that’s perhaps suggesting maybe a different redevelopment.”

Sims said addressing the Jean Burns property and potentially installing a much discussed off-road transit exchange won’t be completed in the near future.

Required environmental work to remediate the Jean Burns site would cost in the range of $250,000.

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One of three concept plans the City issued earlier in 2021 for re-developing Terminal Ave. and the former Jean Burns building site. According to public feedback, a public square may not be the best path forward. (City of Nanaimo)

City concepts for a short section of Commercial St. west of Terminal Ave. to Wallace St. call for traffic configuration to either remain the same, become a one-way street, or be entirely cut off to vehicular traffic.

“This work is still ongoing, it’s not nailed down, it’s going to be influenced heavily by how the transit exchange may function and how Commercial St. may function,” Sims said.

Several delegations addressed councillors, expressing their opposition to the public square concept at the Jean Burns site and the planned transit exchange.

A desire for a housing development with a commercial component at the Jean Burns property was referenced several times by the speakers.

One of them was Kevan Shaw, president of the Victoria Crescent Association.

“Businesses and cafes below as you’ve been told, condos above. Maybe condos for seniors who don’t drive,” Shaw said, who is strongly opposed to restricting vehicular flow on Commercial St.

Last summer the City bought three Terminal Ave. properties between Esplanade and Commercial St., including the old Jean Burns building, to help transform the downtown core.

Soon after conceptual designs were created and a public consultation process launched by the City.

In essence the City intends to urbanize Terminal Ave. into a more welcoming, pedestrian friendly corridor between Esplanade and Stewart Ave in phases from south to north in 2024 and 2025.

The work is planned to include increased lighting and beautifying public spaces along the corridor.

Planned improvements on Terminal Ave. between Esplanade and Commercial St. are expected to happen next year.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes